Collaboration

Posted on Sun Jul 28th, 2019 @ 9:17am by Captain Luka Mahone & Commander Koplo House of Tibok

786 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Canary
Location: Commander Mahone's Quarters, Haumea Colony
Timeline: MD 03 : 0915 Hrs

Today was not the day Luka Mahone expected to be seeing anyone or anything that threw a wrench into his plan. But between the memo that landed on his desk this morning and the current meeting, he was beginning to think every motion he made was closer to a proverbial brick wall.

For the moment, he would have to use said brick wall to hide behind as the red-uniformed Klingon in front of him went on, "And I'll be bringing in the crew from the Sabre to assist with engineering feats. You should be familiar with most of them! They're all highly efficient, very Starfleet-number friendly."

"Commander Koplo, please." Luka held up his hand to pause the other. "We're not here to be efficient, not yet anyways. We're here to keep an eye on the civilian Colony."

"Yes, I've read the files." Koplo nodded with extreme sincerity.

Luka rolled his eyes. "No you haven't."

The Klingon commander waved a hand. "I read the important details. We're here to make sure these civilians don't cause any trouble. I have methods to keep them all in line."

"We don't need to keep them on their toes." Luka's eyes widened at the thought. He laced his fingers together and set his hands on his desk, stern gaze in Koplo's direction. "I appreciate your enthusiasm to do this job, Commander, but we're here to make sure trouble doesn't come to them. We're here to keep them safe."

Koplo's eyes narrowed, arms crossing against his chest as he sat backward. He seemed deep in thought, before he gave a nod to the suspecting Captain. "... And the best way to do that..." he began, eyes lighting up with excitement, "is to start a program for bombing drills! Or infiltration drills. I bet you have an Intelligence Department. The civilians must be versed in how to weed out spies and track down bombs no matter what they look like."

Luka let out an inaudible sigh, gaze moving down to the malamute pup sitting at his side. "Commander Koplo, it might be a good idea to hold off on the drills and the tests, for both civilian and Starfleet crew alike. At least - " he paused, eyes returning to the Klingon commander, who's mouth had opened up to protest. " - At least... until we find ourselves a good footing with the civilian staff. We need to earn trust before we break it, right?"

"Yes. Agreed." Koplo continued to nod, as if he understood exactly what Luka was telling him. "And then, when that trust is earned, we can put them through the gauntlet of civilian readiness against all kinds of threats. Yes?"

"... We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Luka sat back in his seat, finally relaxing for the first moment since their conversation started. "For now, just try to get to know the Starfleet crew, help me staff where we're missing people, and make sure you're acclimated."

"Yes Sir." The eagerness in the Klingon's eyes scared Luka. Rarely did Koplo get that glint without something to fear. "I bet when we first met you never thought I would be your Executive Officer."

Luka shook his head. There were plenty of encounters the pair of them had in the past, but when he had last seen the man, it was years ago, as a Lieutenant Commander ready to take on his first commission. Luka would have thought it the other way around, that he was going to be assigned to Koplo as his executive officer. But it seemed there were other plans in store for the pair. "No, I definitely did not. I'm not sure why Command saw fit to assign you to me, Commander, but I'm hoping we can overcome our differences and work together professionally."

"As do I, Captain." Koplo rose from his seat, pulling out a large, vibrant red and gold jug from the bag at his side and slamming it atop Luka's desk. "And a present! A commemoration of the honor and glory we are about to bring to this beloved Federation Colony! The best Klingon bloodwine I have had the pleasure of imbibing myself."

Both Luka and Lugh stared at the jug in equal parts confusion and curiosity. Luka managed a smile. "Thank you, Commander. Hopefully I'll be able to open this for an actual celebration of our... collaboration." He held out a hand for the Klingon to shake, and received a shake so vigorous he almost slammed into the table.

It only took a moment for him to regain his composure, smile returning as he looked up to Koplo. "I think we should get to it Commander, don't you?"

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